Folding table.



J. & F. PORRAZZO.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28. 19x5.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

mm ao ffi J fl M a 1 V k -E El W i 2W d; MW 6 I 1 3m w mm m I 9 @U pm 7 at] 8 n W hi m m JOHN POBRAZZO AND FRANK PORRAZZO, 01!.NEW YORK, NfY.

FOLDING TABLE.

Specification of i'ietters Iatent.

Patented Jan. 7?, 1217.

Application filed August 28, 1915. Serial No. 47,730.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN PoRnAzzo, a subject of the King of Italy, and FRANK Ponlmzzo,- a citizen of the United States, both residents of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding tables.

The. objects of the invention are to provide an article of this character which, in its initial or folded form, takes up a comparatively small amount of floor space; which provides ample table-top space when in use;

which is susceptible of being manufactured in various sizes-tables of great length being practicable without impairing the rigidity of the structure when opened and adjusted for use; and which is durable, inexpensive and simple in constructioncomprising few parts assembled in novel manner.

. The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of the table, shown opened and adjusted for use; Fig. 2, a cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the device folded; Fig. 4 is a side view of the hinge employed for connecting the two parts of the table-top, and Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4'.

In the example of our invention shown in the accompanying drawings A, indicates the table top which comprises the two sections-1 and 2, which are hinged together by means of the hinges B, which comprise respectively plates 3 and 4, the plates 4 each having flanges 5 for engagin a link 6, which is provided with slots 7 or engaging the pins 8, which are riveted to the flanges 5. The flanges 5 are counter sunk into adjacent recesses in the table-top sections 1 and, 2, and the slots 7, of the links 6, admit of readily swinging the said sections when folding the table, but said hinges maintain the two sections of the table top in rigid alinement when the deviceis opened for use.

Hinged to each section 1 and 2, by means of hinges C,'is a longitudinal beam D, having a rigidly attachedside piece (1. Exa

tended from the lower surface of the res ective' end parts of the beams D are rigidly fixed legs E; and the beams D are connected by a crossspring F, which tends to facilitate operation of the device during the operation of folding.

In pivotal connection with one pair of legs E, at the respective ends of the table are end pieces G. The said pivotal connection comprising bolts 6, which engage thumb-nuts f, adapted to be loosened when swinging the end pieces G, and tightened when the device is opened to maintain the parts in rigid relative arrangement. Each end piece G, at the end opposite its pivotal end is provided with a slot 9; said slots engage bolts 71,, which are respectively extended through the one pair of the-legs E and engage thumb-nuts 27,

which may be tightened for maintaining the.

device in rigid open position and loosened to swing the end pieces G when it is desired to fold the device. As a means for further strengthening the' device cleats j are extended from the under surfaces of the adj acent end parts of the sections 1 and 2, of the table-top A.

To hold the parts securely and prevent swinging when the device is folded, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, we provide hooks m, which are pivoted to the side pieces (Z, and eyes n, on the under surfaces of the sections 1 and 2.

In operation, when the device is unfolded for use with the thumb-nuts tightened, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the side pieces (Z and end pieces G, form practically a rigid supportin frame-work for the table-top whereby lia ility of accidental collapse is entirely obviated and the table will sustain as much strain and weight as a common table having all of its parts in permanent connection. W en folded the parts are also maintained in secure relative arrangementthe hooks and eyes and thumb nuts preventing accidental swinging of the parts, thus providing a device which may be packed away in but small space. Tables of this character may be manufactured in various sizes; and tables of great length for banquets, etc., may be constructed to embody all the rigidity and strength of an ordinary table, while at the same time providing a device which may be folded to occupy small space when not in use.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

for yieldingly holding the sections of the top in a normally horizontal position, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a folding table of the character described, with a frame having longitudinal side pieces with extended legs, ,and end pieces fos'securing'the side pieces together so as to' form a rigid supporting framefor a table top .pivotally' secured to one of the side pieces and means for removably securing the end pieces, the combination of a top comprising two sections disposed parallel with the side pieces, said top-sections being hinged together and one of them hinged to each of the side pieces, so that said top-sections may be swung downwardly into folded relation between the side pieces, and fastening means for securing the parts in folded relation, and'a helical spring having its opposite ends secured to the respective opposite side pieces of the frame, for yieldingly supporting the top-sections in a normally horizontal position when the table is extended for use, substantially as shown and described.

nected end pieces, and longitudinal top-sections hingedly connected with the side pieces, and three-piece hinges, and cleats secured in overlapping relation, two upon each of the top-sections at their abutting edges, said cleats and said three-part hinges serving to prevent the top-sections from collapsing uptially as shown and described.

4. A folding table of the character described, comprising two parallel side pieces with fixed extended legs, two parallel topsections parallel with the side pieces, said top-sections being hingedly secured together with one way three-part hinges, and each being hinged to one of the side pieces, overlapping cleats secured to the top-sections at the abutting edges of the top-sections and on the under surface thereof, said cleats cooperatingwith theone-way hinges to prevent the said top-sections from collapsing, a helical spring having its opposite ends secured to the respective opposite side pieces and serving to yieldingly support the top.- sections in a normally horizontal position, and swinging end pieces for rigidly securing the side pieces in position to serve as a supporting frame, and means for removably securing the swinging end pieces toadmit of folding the table, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention, we have signed our names in the presence of two witnesses, this twentyfirst day of August, 1915. X

JOHN PORRAZZO.

FRANK PORRAZZO, Witnesses:

A. A. LUzzI, GENEVIEVE MACDONALD. 

